Women, children trafficking on increase in Karnataka

In the last five years, there were as many as 3,234 cases of women and child trafficking reported in the state, he told the Legislative Council while replying to the issue raised by Congress member R V Venkatesh.

Ashoka, who holds the Home portfolio, said in 2007 there were 440 cases which rose to 488 the next year and to 534 in 2009. While in 2010 and 2011 there were 697 and 672 cases reported respectively, as many as 403 cases had been reported till June this year.

The government has taken adequate steps to control the menace, he said, adding that anti-human trafficking units have been set up in Bangalore city, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum and Dakshin Kannada districts.

The government is considering setting up such units in four other districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Kolar and Davanagere, Ashoka said.

Training programmes on the issue have been organised for police officers and prosecutors, he said.